January 13, 2025 (Yes Punjab News)
Sikh passengers flying internationally from Indian airports, including Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar and Delhi International Airport, are now being barred from carrying their kirpan and khanda necklaces – a key article of faith for Amritdhari Sikhs.
The FlyAmritsar Initiative (FAI) and Amritsar Vikas Manch (AVM), along with members of the global Sikh diaspora, have formally raised this issue with key officials, the Hon’ble Union Minister for Civil Aviation,
Sh. Rammohan Naidu, and Sikh leaders such as Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas S. Hardeep Singh Puri, National Commission for Minorities Chairman S. Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President S. Harjinder Singh Dhami, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President S. Harmeet Singh Kalka and National Secretary of the BJP S. Manjinder Singh Sirsa urging them to take steps for addressing these restrictions.
Sameep Singh Gumtala, Global Convener of the FlyAmritsar Initiative, and Overseas Secretary of AVM, along with Anantdeep Singh Dhillon, Convener of the initiative and Joint Overseas Secretary of AVM, expressed deep concern over reports that security personnel at Indian airports are compelling Sikh passengers to remove even small kirpans (1-inch or less) worn as necklaces.
This practice has caused emotional distress and violates the religious sentiments of the Sikh community.
In their letter to the Hon’ble Ministers and other authorities, they have emphasized that these small miniature sized kirpans, often less than 1 inch in size are worn as necklaces. They are miniature in size as compared to the larger kirpans permitted on domestic flights but restricted on international flights.
“Many Sikh passengers traveling internationally from Amritsar and Delhi airports have reported about being forced to remove these small size religious articles, violating their freedom to practice their faith,” said Gumtala.
“The letters also highlight how Sikh passengers traveling from countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, and the Netherlands face no such issues at airports abroad or when arriving in Amritsar or Delhi. However, upon departing from Indian airports for international flights, they are unexpectedly subjected to this treatment, leading to confusion and disappointment among Sikhs both in India and abroad.”
“It is disheartening that this issue arises only at Indian airports,” said Dhillon. Internationally, countries like the United Kingdom and Canada not only allow Sikh passengers to wear such religious articles but also permit Sikh employees to carry their kirpans on the airside are with appropriate restriction, he has requested that India authorities should also look into adopting a similar inclusive approach.”
Recently, a video of an Amritdhari Sikh passenger went viral, in which he was expressing his frustration outside the airport terminal about being denied clearance by the security to board his international flight after he refused to remove his ‘kakaar (articles of Sikh faith)’, specifically the necklace with small sized kirpan worn around the neck.
Passengers have been reaching out to the FAI and AVM with similar concerns over the past few months.
The FAI and AVM have urged Minister Naidu to intervene, since the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which administers such policies, operates under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. They have called for a revision of policies to prevent undue restrictions on religious freedoms.
The organizations also appealed to Sikh leaders and groups including the SGPC, to advocate for Sikhs passengers’ rights and ensure their religious freedoms are respected. They emphasized that while there should be no compromise airport security, it shouldn’t infringe upon the constitutionally guaranteed religious freedom to Sikhs as enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
“We are confident that swift intervention from the SGPC, National Commission for Minorities, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, will help safeguard the dignity and rights of Sikh passengers at airport across India,” concluded Dhillon.
